His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire hosted a Banquet in honour of the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in Abidjan yesterday (June 14, 2016).

In his banquet speech, President Mukherjee said India will remain a steadfast partner in assisting Cote d’Ivoire in its economic development and growth. Over years of working together closely for the benefit of our peoples, our two Governments have developed a successful framework for our bilateral co-operation. We have, over the decades, created unique bonds of trust and mutual understanding - based on our shared values and synergies. Our partnership has, in recent years, become increasingly multifaceted, dynamic and rewarding. Our bilateral trade is steadily increasing and is expected to touch one billion US dollars in the next few years. Given the relative size of our economies and our wide convergences in several sectors of common interests, we both agree that our trade and investment and economic co-operation does, indeed have a greater potential that is waiting to be fully realised.

The President said Côte d'Ivoire and India share common concerns in fight against international terrorism. We have been co-ordinating closely in regional and multilateral fora on this and other key issues including disarmament, climate change and sustainable development. India and Cote d’Ivoire are also active participants in regional and international fora and have worked together in close cooperation on matters of shared interest and concern. We both recognize the imperatives of strengthening the UN system and other international organizations. We would like to see them reformed so that they remain relevant and effective in addressing the challenges that confront the world today. In this context, India stands ready to shoulder greater responsibilities in the specialized organs of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council.

This release issued at 1115 hrs.